Silos of Babel
I see not one Tower of Babel to start with but many silos. I see not a dispersal at the end of the road but a coming together in worldwide Compassion.
At least, this is something to strive for.
It seems to me there are many towers of Babel at present.
We call these ‘silos’ nowadays. People live in such silos pretty much disjoint from what happens in other silos. We see this in social media, in professions, in scientific schools of thought, in special interest groups…
Much knowledge also resides and stays hidden in silos that could be crucially interesting for others. Relevant to me, cognitive neuroscience can be very relevant to psychosomatics, but alas!
In each of these silos, people apparently speak the same language.
In reality, they frequently think they do so much more than they actually do.
Part of this is instinctive, with the aim of group cohesion. In former times, this was helpful to survive in a competitive or otherwise adversarial environment.
Until Babel strikes
This way, they risk, as in biblical times, a dispersal into many directions — for instance, when group cohesion becomes less important by losing a common enemy. Paradoxically, as you can see in the example, this may happen more readily when everything is going well.
However, they don’t come to this dispersal by starting to speak strange tongues but by noticing they have already been doing so for a long time.
Would that dispersal necessarily be a bad thing?
Or can it be the first step toward the possibility of at least seeing the need to put more effort into trying to understand each other? Seeing this may help eventually to bring all people and all peoples together.
Even so, they won’t need a new Tower of Babel.
It will just be the world.
Moreover, there will be one language, indeed, called the language of Compassion. Many idioms will only make this more interesting. Compassion – in a good sense – doesn’t lead to boring stuff but a kaleidoscope of human flourishing.
From its side, Compassion will also make it more feasible to work with a multitude of idioms while enjoying the similarities and differences.
Is this the way to reach heaven?
I guess so.
Moreover, if one or the other vengeful godhead cannot stand it, we’ll teach him some Compassion so he can join the crowd.
Everybody is welcome.
Related Posts
Groups of Egos, Groups of Total Selves
Groups of egos may show empathy — primarily towards the ingroup, often at the cost of the outgroup. This selective empathy often reinforces division, creating a false sense of unity within the group while fostering hostility toward those outside it. Groups of total selves naturally lean toward a more Compassionate approach. The consequence is a Read the full article…
Is Your Wanting Yours?
It feels so mainly because one isn’t conscious of the many influences that eventually shape one’s wanting. But is it, and should it? Theory and practice In theory, if you count genetics to these influences, external forces shape and mold every wanting. This ends the concept of free will ― in theory. A way out Read the full article…
About Hope
Where there is Hope, there is at least one good feeling that can guide people – including yourself – through the direst situations. Hope makes one less vulnerable while keeping sensitivity and Compassion alive. Hope versus hope It’s not altogether an easy distinction. As with any other ‘deep’ concept, hope can be meant and understood Read the full article…